Skáphe | bandcamp |
Released on May 4, 2014 via Fallen Empire Records
Black metal arose from the shadows of old heavy metal and thrash. Bands such as Mercyful Fate and Venom inspired a new wave of bands that combined such inspiration to produce something original, abrasive, and beautiful. Out of the ashes of this second wave comes new forms that are difficult to label, or even compare with the most outlandish of those acts. Combining elements of post-metal, noise, doom and avant-garde is Skáphe, and its self-titled demo care of Fallen Empire Records.
Bands like Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord showed that black metal in its primitive forms could expand their scope by experimenting with styles rarely used when second wave black metal exploded onto the scene. Changes in tempo, variation and style showcase a band morphing into logical progressive forms, instead of using the old black metal templates. What was once thought of as unthinkable for a style of music has been gradually embraced by bands and fans alike that slowly lose interest in a black metal scene filled with copycats.
Skáphe presents music that strays from comparison with progenitors of any elements Skáphe has used on its self-titled release. From drone, noise to post-metal, Skáphe creates a soundscape instead of an album with standard song structure. The tone and little melodies Skáphe uses with success resonate as dissonant, difficult music that somehow eludes tangible interpretation.
Barely does Skáphe register as a black metal band of particulars – the raspy vocals, the blastbeats, the razor-thin guitar sections, so much is going on in an album washed with discordance that it is nearly impossible to frame each section within the music with clear perception. One set of tremolo riffs might rise out of its suffocating melee. In fact, most riffs fly by me so fast that I find something new with each listen.
A menacing atmosphere is at the helm of each uncomfortable listen. The rasps sound like demented murmurrings made by a psychopath in his cell. The little rung notes at times come with no regular intermittence, but instead come randomly, almost as beautiful noise.
A Skáphe listener needs to set aside preconceived notions of what black metal is real or what not. Atmospheric, pagan bands that rely on melody to create atmosphere can’t equal the menace that Skáphe creates with its own. In lieu of beauty and melody and lofi production, is an asphyxiating and dense wall of sound. Skáphe creates something shapeless, formless, but horrifying in its intent. The album is almost like a film score, detailing the dark degeneration of the psyche in ways that can only be heard to be experienced.
